BELFAST AND LISBURN WOMEN’S AID TRAVEL FUND

Women in Media Belfast has teamed up with Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid to highlight its travel fund.

WATCH:

YOU can text donations to Women's Aid: Text TRAVEL to 70470 to donate £10. Texts will cost the donation plus one standard network rate message. Or donate on just giving: https://justgiving.com/campaign/cyp-fundraiser2022

READ: The Travel Fund covers the travel costs of children and young people engaging with services through the WA Children and Young People’s team.

“Funds will cover the public transport, petrol and taxi costs of those trying to access our services and facing financial barriers. We have identified that the financial difficulties we are experiencing in society are increasingly preventing vulnerable groups from gaining access to services they need to flourish.  

“The Children and Young People’s team work with our youth to provide safety, support, guidance and community through difficult times. We recognise our children and young people are equal victims of domestic abuse and therefore need robust and tailored supports in place to thrive. At Women’s Aid we believe in the power of community communications and wish to work together to platform shared issues that we can work on solving together. 

“The magic and the wonder of what we do at Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid is we create a space where children can come, meet other children in their peer support group, and share experiences.”

HOW THE TRAVEL FUND HELPS

"It has been life-changing and a safe haven from me and my child, with very caring and communicative staff"
"Going to Woman's Aid's young peoples group was so comforting, eye opening and reassuring. Being able to be with others in a similar age group and situation to my own really helped me realise I'm not alone. I felt seen and I felt heard thanks to Woman's Aid, the other service user, and Katie. I'll be forever grateful."

"There is an incredible moment when children meet other children who is the safe and trusting space we create feel safe enough to share their story and realise they are not alone."

"I liked the group as even though I didn't know everyone at the start, we knew everyone had similar stories and we were not alone. I had a bad week, coming here is like an outlet without being judged by others."
"The group makes me feel not alone and like people around me that I can relate to which gives me a sense of comfort and contentment."

"I went to the group for 6 months. Group was amazing and I really enjoyed it. It gave me the chance to meet other young people who had similar experiences to me and hearing them made me feel less alone and validated my past. I hope I'll get the opportunity to experience what future groups have to offer."

WOMEN IN MEDIA….

Communication is vital to the work of Women’s Aid. Charlie Bradford Gibbs and Niamh Meehan run the Belfast & Lisburn communication team.

Charlie, originally from South Devon in England, has been working in communications for the past six years. An English Literature graduate, she has held a range of marketing and communications roles, including in the arts, hospitality, the legal sector and now in the voluntary sector. Charlie has held the role of Engagement Co-ordinator at Belfast & Lisburn Women's Aid since November 2020, and since then has been involved in a range of campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of domestic and sexual abuse. These include the #UnlockYourLockdown campaign spearheaded by WAFNI and the International Women's Day 2021 regional campaign which saw the launch of the VAWG Strategy petition for Northern Ireland, as well as a range of online and offline local campaigns. Charlie is due to take the next step in furthering her career in September by beginning a part-time Master's degree in Digital Marketing, Communications and Leadership at Ulster University, which she will be undertaking alongside her work at Women's Aid.

Niamh is thrilled to have recently joined the Belfast and Lisburn Woman’s Aid team as a Communications Assistant. Prior to this Niamh worked in a range of communication and content creation roles across the arts and cultural sector in America, Europe and the UK. As an English literature graduate, Niamh has a passion for creative communications that serve a wider purpose.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND READING. AMANDA